▪ I. well-ˈmeaning, vbl. n.
Disposition to do what is right; good intentions.
| 1569 E. Elviden Closet of Counsels (1573) To Rdr., I craue thy curtesie to respect of my well meaning, rather than of my abilitie. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iii. (1922) 57 The almightie powers, whom I inuoke as triers of mine innocencie and witnesses of my wel meaning. 1667 H. More Div. Dial. v. xxvi. (1713) 487 If that be at the bottom,..their well-meaning is commendable. 1703 Earl of Orrery As you find it iii. ii. 38 Sir, your Deportment has been very surprizing to me,..but your Youth and Well-meaning may in a great measure excuse you. 1744 Mason Musæus (1748) 13 Let my well-meaning mend my ill essay. 1768 Woman of Honor I. 209 A few men of good sense, and real well-meaning. a 1849 H. Coleridge Ess. (1851) II. 254 Though I give the Bishop credit for well-meaning in his refusal of the pictures offered to St. Paul's. |
▪ II. well-ˈmeaning, ppl. a.
Having, or actuated by, good intentions; animated by a kindly purpose or friendly disposition.
Often with a somewhat derogatory implication of inefficiency or unwisdom.
| 1387–8 T. Usk Test. Love ii. v. 117 Right as see yeveth flood, so draweth see ebbe, and pulleth ayen under wawe al the firste out-throwe, but-if good pyles of noble governaunce in love, in wel-meninge maner, ben sadly grounded. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 124 And albeit that he were not lerned, yet was he a vertuous and well meanynge man. a 1557 N. Grimalde in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 106 That nothyng hynder your welmeanyng minde. 1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Fam. Love B ij, Take this briefe freindly and well meaning aunswere to your exceptions in good part. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, ii. i. 128 My brother Gloucester, plaine well meaning soule. 1649 Milton Eikon. xvii. 158 What a Cordial and well meaning helper they had of him abroad. 1673 True Worship of God p. iv, Some out of a well meaning mistake, thinking that which they call Preaching, the only means of Salvation. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. Ded. ¶1 'Tis the fault of many a well-meaning Man, to be officious in a wrong place. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 299 ¶3 She..treats me like a plain well-meaning Man, who does not know the World. 1828 Lytton Pelham lxxxi, The annuity we have agreed upon, is only to be given in case of success—not merely for well meaning attempts. 1857 A. Mathews Tea-Table Talk I. 342 The well-intentioned but injudicious actions of what are called well-meaning people. 1919 Eng. Hist. Rev. July 440 The paternal attitude of the Tudor monarchy was at least well-meaning towards the education of the poor. |
Hence well-ˈmeaningly adv.; well-ˈmeaningness.
| 1680 I. C. Vind. Oaths & Swearing (ed. 2) 37 That some expedient may be found out for their ease in this Point, to such especially as do erre ignorantly and well-meaningly. 1900 Spectator 13 Jan. 52/1 Sloppiness, mental and moral, and vague well-meaningness. |